Ben had kept quiet while the redcoats were talking about the affair, his thought being that he did not want to be recaptured, but when they had gone, he realized that he was imprisoned in a cave, with his hands bound, was practically helpless, and would likely have to remain there a prisoner and die of starvation and thirst. He shuddered, and a cold perspiration broke out over his body. He wished, now, that he had called out to the redcoats. He would have been again made a prisoner, true, but he would have had the hope of getting away later on, while as the matter stood now, he did not see that he had any chance whatever to escape with his life. Imprisoned in a cave, the entrance to which was covered several inches thick with earth, and with his arms bound, how could he hope to make his escape? A feeling of despair took hold of him. CHAPTER XXIII—Dick And Arnold When Dick Dare was confronted by General Arnold and Colonel Riggs, in the Sprowl home, he realized that it would be useless to offer resistance. So he simply sat there quietly, and made no move toward trying to get away. He was chiding himself, however, for not having been more careful, and see to it that Sprowl did not bring some redcoats back with him. “Good evening, General Arnold,” said Dick, quietly. “I wasn’t expecting you.” “I suppose not,” sarcastically. “But I’m here. That was a very shrewd plan of yours, to get Sprowl to secure information for you, and it might have succeeded, had it not been that I became suspicious when he told me about you, and I jumped to the conclusion that likely you were Dick Dare, so came to investigate.” Then he turned to Sprowl, who had entered with them, and said: “Get a rope and bind his arms.” Sprowl went to the kitchen and came back with a piece of rope, and he quickly tied Dick’s wrists together behind his back. “Now, Dick Dare, you will answer a few questions, if you please,” said Arnold. “What are the questions?” the youth asked. “First, how many men are there in the rebel force?” Dick shook his head. “I won’t answer that question,” he said. “You had better,” threateningly. “No.” “Remember, you are in my power, Dick Dare. You are a rebel spy, and also I owe you something for trying to capture me, in New York a few months ago and again last evening. Answer my question.” “I will not give you any information that might be of use to you in your campaign against the patriot force,” said Dick, decidedly. “You had better think well. I have the power to order you strung up to a tree as a rebel spy.” “That doesn’t make any difference,” was the reply. “I will give you no information, so there is no use of your asking.” Arnold glared at Dick angrily for a few moments, and then said: “Very well. Since you wish to be stubborn, you may take the consequences. I think I shall have you strung up, perhaps tomorrow, Richard Dare!”